Moldovan leu

Moldovan leu
leu moldovenesc (Romanian)
1 Leu note obverse and reverse
ISO 4217
Code	MDL
Denominations
Subunit
1/100	ban
Plural	lei
ban	bani
Banknotes	1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 lei
Coins	1, 5, 10, 25, 50 bani, 1 leu, 5 lei.
Demographics
User(s)	Moldova (except  Transnistria)
Issuance
Central bank	National Bank of Moldova
Website	www.bnm.md
Valuation
Inflation	7.4%
Source	The World Factbook, 2010 est.

The leu (ISO 4217 code MDL) is the currency of Moldova. Like the Romanian leu, the Moldovan leu (pl. lei) is subdivided into 100 bani (singular: ban). The name of the currency originates in Romania and means "lion".

History

Between 1918 and 1940 and again between 1941 and 1944, when Moldova was part of Romania, the Romanian leu was used in what was then the eastern part of the broader Romanian region of Moldavia (Moldova in Romanian). The Moldovan leu was established on 29 November 1993, following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the creation of the independent republic of Moldova. It replaced the temporary cupon currency at a rate of 1 leu = 1000 cupon.

In Transnistria, an unrecognized state claimed in whole by Moldova, the Transnistrian ruble is used instead. The currency is not honoured by Moldova or any other state.

Coins

In November 1993 coins of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 bani in aluminium as well as nickel-plated-steel 1 and 5 leu coins were put in circulation.

The aluminium 50 bani,nickel-plated-steel 1 and 5 leu coins were later withdrawn from circulation. Starting January 1998 the aluminium 50 bani was replaced by one constructed of brass-clad steel.^[1][2] No new 1- and 5 leu coins have been issued. 1-Ban coins were last minted in 2006. They remain legal tender, but are rarely seen in circulation, effectively leading to "Swedish rounding".^[3]

Since 1996 several commemorative coins for collectors have been issued. A complete listing can be found here.^[4]

Coins of the leu (1993–present)[5]
Image	Value	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
		Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	minting	issue	withdrawal	lapse
	1 ban	14,5 mm	0,67g	aluminium	plain	Denomination, year	Coat of arms of Moldova, country name	1993~2006	November 1993	Current*
	5 bani	16 mm	0,75 g					1993~present		Current
	10 bani	16,6 mm	0,85 g
	25 bani	17,5 mm	0,95 g
	50 bani	19 mm	1,07 g					1993		?	?
	50 bani	19 mm	3,1 g	Brass clad steel	reeded	Denomination, year	Coat of arms of Moldova, country name	1997~present	January 1998	current
	1 leu	19,5 mm	3,32 g	Nickel clad steel	plain	Denomination, year	Coat of arms of Moldova, country name	1992	November 1993	?	?
	5 lei	21,5 mm	3,6 g		plain			1993
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table. Officially in circulation, but not used in practice

Banknotes

There have been two series of Moldovan leu banknotes. The first series was short-lived and only included 1, 5, and 10 lei. The front of all of these notes—and all subsequent notes—feature a portrait of Ștefan cel Mare (Stephen the Great, also known as Stephen III of Moldavia), the prince of Moldavia from 1457 to 1504. The first two lines of the Miorița (The Little Ewe) ballad appear on the back, printed vertically between the denomination numeral and the vignette of the fortress. The Miorița is an old Romanian pastoral ballad considered one of the most important pieces of Romanian folklore. The lines “Pe-un picior de plai, Pe-o gură de rai” translate as “Near a low foothill, at Heaven’s doorsill.”

Second Series
Image		Value	Dimensions	Main Colour	Description			Date of
Obverse	Reverse				Obverse	Reverse	Watermark	first printing	issue
		1 leu	114 × 58 mm	Yellow	Stephen III	Căpriana monastery	As portrait	1994	May 1994
		5 lei		Cyan		St. Dumitru Church, Orhei			April 1994
		10 lei	121 × 61 mm	Red		Hârjauca monastery			May 1994
		20 lei		Green		Soroca Fort		1992	November 1993
		50 lei		Pink		Hârbovăț monastery			May 1994
		100 lei		Orange		Tighina Fort			September 1995
		200 lei	133 × 66 mm	Purple		Chișinău City Hall
		500 lei		Orange and green		Chișinău Cathedral			December 1999
		1000 lei		Blue		Presidential Palace			October 2003
For table standards, see the banknote specification table.

• On the front side of each banknote only one man is represented - the best-known ruler of Moldavia - Ștefan cel Mare (Stephen the Great).
• The first two lines of the Miorița ballad are written in the white circle on the front side of each banknote.
• On the back side of all the banknotes there are depicted Trajan's Column and The Endless Column.

Exchange rates

See also

• Economy of Moldova

References

External links

• Coins of Moldova at CISCoins.net
• Catalog of Banknotes of Moldova
• The banknotes of Moldova (in English) (in German)